Police and community briefs, Feb. 3

Published: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 9:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 9:33 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

Police: Man fondled himself near girls

A 45-year-old Ocala man accused of pleasuring himself while two teen-age girls were nearby was arrested by an Ocala Police Department detective on Friday and charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition, according to officials.

The girls, ages 13 and 14, who are sisters, allege that David Allen Ray covered himself with a blanket and fondled himself under it while he peeped through a hole in the blanket to see if the teenagers were watching him.

The same scenario has occurred over the course of more than a year, officials were told.

Detective Jorge Fernandez said he interviewed Ray at an OPD building on Friday and that Ray denied doing anything in front of the children.

Ray was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

4 clerks cited for not checking IDs

The Ocala Police Department and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco gave four people notices to appear following an undercover operation.

The goal of the operation was to target those who sell adult beverages to persons under 21.

Authorities went to 17 locations on Friday, including convenience stores and restaurants, and the undercover operative would purchase alcohol and then leave.

In four instances, clerks didn’t check the operative’s identification, resulting in their arrest and notice to appear.

The businesses at which the arrests were made are Liquor Solutions, 5400 SW College Road; BP, 1931 SW 27th Ave.; El Toreo, 3790 E. State Road 40, and Jimmy Food Mart, 3045 SE Third Ave.

COMMUNITY

Register for art class at the Brick City Center

An art party with Sheila Ramos will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway, Ocala.

Projects will include polymer clay and glass bead art. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children. The registration deadline is Monday. For more information, call 867-9660.

Mental illness program for families starts soon

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Marion County will offer a free Family-to-Family Education Program for families, partners, caregivers, friends and loved ones of individuals living with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD or other serious mental illness.

The program will run for 12 weeks starting Feb. 17 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Brentwood At Fore Ranch, 4811 SW 48th Ave., Ocala.

The class is limited to 20 students. The program also will be offered again later in the year. For more information, call 368-2405 or email education@namiocala.org.

Bowling event benefits family of crash victim

The family of Kyle Lay, who died Jan. 4 after being ejected from the bed of a truck following a traffic crash, will hold a fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the AMF Galaxy West Bowling Center at 1818 SW 17th St., Ocala.

Proceeds will be used to purchase T-shirts and bumper stickers labeled “Truck beds are for cargo not kids” to distribute at an upcoming rally.

The cost to bowl is $10, which includes shoes. Restaurant gift cards will be raffled during the event.

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p> </p><p><b>Police: Man fondled himself near girls</b></p><p>A 45-year-old Ocala man accused of pleasuring himself while two teen-age girls were nearby was arrested by an Ocala Police Department detective on Friday and charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition, according to officials.</p><p>The girls, ages 13 and 14, who are sisters, allege that David Allen Ray covered himself with a blanket and fondled himself under it while he peeped through a hole in the blanket to see if the teenagers were watching him.</p><p>The same scenario has occurred over the course of more than a year, officials were told.</p><p>Detective Jorge Fernandez said he interviewed Ray at an OPD building on Friday and that Ray denied doing anything in front of the children.</p><p>Ray was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p><b>4 clerks cited for not checking IDs</b></p><p>The Ocala Police Department and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco gave four people notices to appear following an undercover operation.</p><p>The goal of the operation was to target those who sell adult beverages to persons under 21.</p><p>Authorities went to 17 locations on Friday, including convenience stores and restaurants, and the undercover operative would purchase alcohol and then leave.</p><p>In four instances, clerks didn't check the operative's identification, resulting in their arrest and notice to appear.</p><p>Arrested and given notices to appear were Rutilo Frias Aguirre, 47; Maureen Held, 30; Urvashi Mody, 39; and Ryan Roman, 21.</p><p>The businesses at which the arrests were made are Liquor Solutions, 5400 SW College Road; BP, 1931 SW 27th Ave.; El Toreo, 3790 E. State Road 40, and Jimmy Food Mart, 3045 SE Third Ave.</p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p> </p><p><b>Register for art class at the Brick City Center</b></p><p>An art party with Sheila Ramos will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway, Ocala.</p><p>Projects will include polymer clay and glass bead art. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children. The registration deadline is Monday. For more information, call 867-9660.</p><p><b>Mental illness program for families starts soon</b></p><p>The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Marion County will offer a free Family-to-Family Education Program for families, partners, caregivers, friends and loved ones of individuals living with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD or other serious mental illness.</p><p>The program will run for 12 weeks starting Feb. 17 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Brentwood At Fore Ranch, 4811 SW 48th Ave., Ocala.</p><p>The class is limited to 20 students. The program also will be offered again later in the year. For more information, call 368-2405 or email education@namiocala.org.</p><p><b>Bowling event benefits family of crash victim</b></p><p>The family of Kyle Lay, who died Jan. 4 after being ejected from the bed of a truck following a traffic crash, will hold a fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the AMF Galaxy West Bowling Center at 1818 SW 17th St., Ocala.</p><p>Proceeds will be used to purchase T-shirts and bumper stickers labeled “Truck beds are for cargo not kids” to distribute at an upcoming rally.</p><p>The cost to bowl is $10, which includes shoes. Restaurant gift cards will be raffled during the event.</p>